Trains, Trump and the federal budget were themes of discussion at Monday's presidential press conference. (Presidencia)
A new train line to Pachuca and the savings that the elimination of seven watchdog agencies will generate were among the topics President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke about at her Monday morning press conference.
Here is a recap of the president’s latest mañanera.
Construction of AIFA-Pachuca train to begin in 2025
Sheinbaum told reporters that construction of a passenger train line between the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in México state and Pachuca, the capital of the state of Hidalgo, will commence in April.
She estimated that the project will be finished in late 2026.
Sheinbaum: Elimination of watchdog agencies to generate savings of over 20 billion pesos
Sheinbaum said that the elimination of seven autonomous government agencies — as approved by the Congress last month — will generate savings of 20 billion pesos (almost US $1 billion) per year.
She said that her government is proposing that the money be used for a range of purposes. Some will go to education and another portion will go to increasing the salaries of the lowest-paid soldiers, Sheinbaum said.
The elimination of transparency agency INAI and other government watchdogs freed up over 20 billion pesos in the Mexican federal budget, Sheinbaum said. (INAI/X)
Pending approval by the lower house of Congress, the National Institute of Anthropology and History, the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature and the Agriculture Ministry will also receive additional funds, she said.
Sheinabum also said that the Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Ministry will assume the responsibilities of transparency agency INAI in January.
However, she said that Mexican officials are still seeking to meet with members of Trump’s team before the upcoming inauguration in Washington. Sheinbaum didn’t mention any proposed date for the meeting.
Authorities identified the man arrested at the Guadalajara airport as Mario "N," withholding his last name to protect his privacy. (Luis Bautista/Cuartoscuro)
A passenger aboard a domestic Volaris flight on Sunday morning attempted to hijack and forcibly divert the aircraft to the United States, prompting an emergency landing in Guadalajara and the man’s subsequent arrest.
The individual — a 31-year-old Mexican national identified as Mario “N” — was traveling from Leon, Guanajuato, to Tijuana, Baja California, with his wife and two children when the incident unfolded.
According to authorities, Mario assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to breach the cockpit, citing a recent kidnapping of a close relative and a death threat as motivations for his actions.
Crew members and at least one passenger subdued the suspect while the pilot issued an alert code and diverted the Airbus A320 to Guadalajara International Airport.
Authorities, including the National Guard (GN), arrested Mario upon landing and transferred him to the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) for further investigation. His legal status will be determined by the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
“The crew subdued the aggressor in accordance with established security protocols,” Volaris said in a statement. At the Guadalajara airport, “GN personnel were already waiting for him.”
Instead of arriving to Tijuana, the flight diverted to Guadalajara International Airport. (AirNav)
The passengers and crew later continued on to Tijuana.
Volaris also announced it had formally filed a complaint to ensure the suspect faces legal consequences.
According to the authorities, the suspect said that upon taking off from León, he received a message that threatened either his own life or his kidnapped relative’s life — it’s not quite clear — if Mario traveled to Tijuana.
According to witness reports, Mario grabbed a flight attendant, threatened her with a pen against her neck, and grabbed the handle to the plane’s door, saying he would jump to his death and take the flight attendant with him.
Another passenger reportedly played a pivotal role in defusing the situation by persuading Mario to release the flight attendant and surrender peacefully. This person said no security personnel were present, and that it was he, with the help of other passengers, who managed to contain the attack.
One witness said the man managed to get the plane door cracked open as passengers could be heard screaming, crying and pleading with him not to open it. Videos of the incident appear to confirm that account.
Another witness said the suspect initially told passengers that he wanted to attract attention because his wife had been kidnapped and was seeking political asylum in the United States.
Authorities noted that the state of Guanajuato, the flight’s departure point, is a region heavily affected by cartel violence, including extortion and kidnapping. It remains unclear if the threats Mario said he had received were connected to organized crime.
Given Canada and Mexico's trade deficit with the U.S., they may as well become U.S. states, Trump suggested on Sunday. (Donald Trump/Facebook, Cuartoscuro)
United States President-elect Donald Trump suggested Sunday that Mexico should become a state of the U.S. due to a trade imbalance between the two countries, prompting President Claudia Sheinbaum to reiterate that Mexico is “a free, sovereign and independent country.”
In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, Trump railed against the trade deficits the United States is recording with Mexico and Canada, which together with the U.S. are the signatories to the USMCA free trade pact.
Full interview: Donald Trump details his plans for Day 1 and beyond in the White House
“We’re subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. We’re subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion,” he said, significantly exaggerating the United States’ trade deficits with both countries.
“We shouldn’t be — why are we subsidizing these countries? If we’re going to subsidize them, let them become a state. We’re subsidizing Mexico and we’re subsidizing Canada and we’re subsidizing many countries all over the world,” Trump said.
“All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” he added.
While Mexico has a significant trade surplus with the United States, it is not as large as Trump claimed. The United States’ trade deficit with its southern neighbor was US $152.47 billion in 2023 and $141.85 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, according to the United States Census Bureau.
The USMCA was signed in 2018 by Mexico’s then-president, Enrique Peña Nieto, Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau. (Ron Przysucha/U.S. Department of State)
Although Trump signed the USMCA deal, which superseded NAFTA in 2020, he evidently believes that trade between the three North American countries is not fair. In October, he pledged to renegotiate the pact. Since the trade agreement took effect, Mexico has become the world’s top exporter to the United States, ousting China from that position in 2023.
Trump has pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian exports to the United States on the first day of his second term, although his stated motivation for doing so is not the trade imbalance but what he described as the “long simmering problem” of drugs and migrants entering the U.S. via its southern and northern borders.
Trump said in a social media post on Nov. 25 that his proposed tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods would “remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”
At her morning press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum was asked about the president-elect’s “let them become a state” remark in reference to Mexico and Canada.
She initially expressed her desire to cease “dialogue” with Trump “through the media,” but added that “obviously Mexico is a free, sovereign and independent country.”
“We all know that and we always have to defend it,” Sheinbaum said.
“I understand that this subsidy he speaks about has to do with the increase in Mexico’s exports to the United States, which now exceed [Mexico’s] imports [from the U.S.],” she said.
“Obviously Mexico is a free, sovereign and independent country,” President Sheinbaum said in response to Trump’s remarks. (Daniel Augusto/Cuartoscuro)
“But yesterday, at the event we were at in Nuevo Laredo, I stated that the only way to compete with other regions of the world is by maintaining and strengthening the [North American] trade agreement, the USMCA,” Sheinbaum said.
“… More than looking at each other as competition, we have to look at each other as complementary. It was President Trump who signed the USMCA and the United States has had a lot of benefits from the agreement,” she said.
Sheinbaum previously said that her government would implement its own reciprocal tariff on U.S. exports to Mexico if Trump goes ahead with his Nov. 25 tariff threat. However, she has expressed confidence that the proposed U.S. tariff won’t end up being imposed on Mexican exports. Meanwhile, the Mexican government has countered that a 25% tax on Mexican exports would have a negative impact on the U.S. economy and consumers.
What else did Trump say about Mexico on Sunday?
Trump’s “Meet the Press” interview was his first sit-down interview since he won the United States presidential election on Nov. 5.
In a discussion with NBC journalist Kristen Welker that lasted more than an hour, the president-elect made a range of remarks that were directly or indirectly related to Mexico.
Here is a selection of those comments.
On tariffs:
“I’m a big believer in tariffs. I think tariffs are the most beautiful word. I think they’re beautiful. It’s going to make us rich.”
Tariffs are … properly used … a very powerful tool, not only economically, but also for getting other things outside of economics.”
On his recent call with Sheinbaum:
“Within ten minutes after that phone call, we noticed that the people coming across the border, the southern border having to do with Mexico, there was … just a trickle. … The [Mexican] military stopped these vast groups of people. You know, we call them caravans. But they had caravans of people, and they largely stopped them. Now, they’re going to have to continue that … and the other thing I told them is no more drugs.”
(Sheinbaum previously rejected Trump’s claim that she agreed during their call to “stop migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our southern border.”)
On current and future border security:
“We have millions of people pouring into our country. … And drugs are pouring in. Almost as importantly, drugs are pouring in. Maybe more importantly. Drugs are pouring in at levels never seen before, 10 times what we had. They’re just pouring in. We can’t have open borders.”
“We’re going to do something with the border [in our first 100 days in office], very strong, very powerful. That’ll be our first signal — first signal to America that we’re not playing games. We have people coming in by the millions, as you know, and a lot of people shouldn’t be here. Most of them shouldn’t be here.”
On his mass deportation plan:
I think you have to [deport everyone in the United States illegally] and it’s … a very tough thing to do. … But you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. You know the people that have been treated very unfairly are the people that have been on line for ten years to come into the country.”
“We have to get the criminals out of our country. We have to get people that were taken out of mental institutions and put them back into their mental institution no matter what country it is.”
“We’re starting with the criminals and we’ve got to do it. And then we’re starting with others and we’re going to see how it goes.”
“The Dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age. And many of these are middle-aged people now. They don’t even speak the language of their country. And yes, we’re going to do something about the Dreamers. … I will work with the Democrats on a plan. … Republicans are very open to the Dreamers. … “I do [want them to be able to stay].”
Mexico is seeing an astounding rate of investment in industrial parks due to nearshoring and reshoring. (Shutterstock)
Investment in industrial parks in Mexico is expected to reach US $6 billion in 2025, after the sector attracted over $5 billion in 2024, according to the president of the Mexican Association of Private Industrial Parks (AMPIP), Jorge Ávalos.
The investment is being driven by the expansion of national and international companies taking advantage of Mexico’s logistics capabilities, Ávalos said in a Banorte Norte Económico podcast.
The Mexican industrial park developer Meor, founded in 2006, announced plans in September to invest $1.5 billion in parks over the next seven years. (Meor)
“While Chinese companies have played a very important role in this phenomenon, companies from the United States are also returning their manufacturing operations from China to North American territory, which they call reshoring,” explained Ávalos.
According to Ávalos, in 2024, nearshoring accounted for approximately 59.2 million square feet of gross rentable area, which is 35% of rentable industrial space in Mexico.
New 900-million-dollar Natura Industrial Park breaks ground in Tijuana
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda attended a groundbreaking event for the 18.4-billion-peso (US $911 million) Natura Industrial Park in Tijuana, Baja California, across the border from San Diego, on Nov. 19.
The new project covers over 444 acres and will have 24 industrial warehouses, responding to the growing demand of the manufacturing sector. It is expected to generate 27,000 direct jobs.
En nuestro gobierno lo tenemos claro: el desarrollo económico no puede estar separado del bienestar social y ambiental como ocurría en el pasado.
Hoy buscamos prosperidad compartida, con desarrollos como el Parque Industrial Natura que generará más de 27 mil empleos en una… pic.twitter.com/mTcITjaqqW
“We are building not only an industrial park but a development engine that will position Baja California as a leader in industrial infrastructure and social welfare,” industry news site Cluster Industrial reported Marina del Pilar saying.
The governor also emphasized the economic leadership of the state, which has attracted $5.3 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), according to Cluster Industrial.
Collaboration between the state and municipal governments has enhanced the business environment for companies by improving regulatory processes and digitalizing procedures, Cluster Industrial reported the mayor of Tijuana Ismael Burgueño Ruiz saying.
Meor to invest $1.5B in Mexico over 7 years
The Mexican industrial park developer Meor, founded in 2006, announced plans in September to invest $1.5 billion in parks over the next seven years. The company develops projects under the HubsPark brand.
“We seek to generate value not only for our investors but also for the communities where we operate, driving economic development and job creation,” Meor’s Finance Director Alberto Bessoudo told the news site Mexico Industry. “We seek to generate value not only for our investors but also for the communities where we operate, driving economic development and job creation.”
The company reported occupancy rates of above 96% and aims to close 2024 with a portfolio of around 2.6 million square feet of new constructions and 1 million square feet of leases.
The investment will be concentrated in three northern locations — Tijuana, Baja California, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and Monterrey, Nuevo León. However, the company sees potential for growth in other regions in the north of the country, as well as Mexico City.
Volaris is the largest air travel operator in Jalisco state, holding a market share of 42%. (Volaris/X)
Mexican low-cost airline Volaris has inaugurated a new direct flight from Guadalajara, Jalisco, to Tulum, Quintana Roo, available every day of the week.
Executive Vice President of Volaris Holger Blankenstein celebrated the news, saying this route further expands the airline’s strategic portfolio in Quintana Roo.
A partir de hoy, la tierra del mariachi y el tequila — #Guadalajara — tiene un portal directo con el corazón vibrante de la selva maya en #Tulum.
Descubre el nuevo vuelo de @viajavolaris y ven a disfrutar de un invierno de rituales atemporales, cocina etérea y playas radiantes. pic.twitter.com/a8mJO1D3rD
“With this new route,” Blankenstein said, “we are expanding our strategic portfolio towards a very important and promising destination such as Tulum, one of the biggest attractions for national and international visitors in Quintana Roo.”
Offering 2,604 seats per week, the new route departs Guadalajara daily at 10:43 a.m. and arrives in Tulum at 2:10 p.m. It will depart Tulum at 2:50 p.m. and arrive in Guadalajara at 4:25 p.m. The flight has a duration of approximately three hours and 27 minutes.
“By adding a new direct flight that operates daily,” the airline said in a statement, “Volaris is enhancing its commitment to improving connectivity to more cities in the country, thus facilitating access to key destinations that foster economic development and promote tourism, through one of the most modern fleets in North America.”
Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama announced the Guadalajara-Tulum route in April, sharing that it would launch starting Dec. 8.
Aeroméxico, Mexicana de Aviación, Viva Aerobus and Volaris all offer domestic flights to Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, which recently celebrated its first year of operations. (Elizabeth Ruiz/Cuartoscuro)
Aeroméxico, Mexicana de Aviación, Viva Aerobus and Volaris all offer domestic flights to Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, which recently celebrated its first year of operations. These airlines operate flights to the sunny destination from both airports in Mexico City, as well as Guadalajara, Jalisco, and Monterrey, Nuevo León.
Volaris is the largest air travel operator in Jalisco state, holding a market share of 42%. Departing from the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports, it operates 55 flights to national and international destinations.
Christopher Landau served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2019-2021. (Christpher Landau/X)
Christopher Landau, the former United States ambassador to Mexico, has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be the U.S. deputy secretary of state. Landau must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before being sworn in.
The nomination was well-received in Mexico, where Landau was stationed from 2019 to 2021, during Trump’s first term.
Landau at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden in late October. (Christpher Landau/X)
“It’s a good thing [for us] because Ambassador Landau did a very good job [here],” President Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference on Monday. “I met him while serving as mayor [of Mexico City] and he knows our country quite well.”
Trump made the announcement on Sunday in a post on his social media website Truth Social, saying Landau would work with Sen Marco Rubio “to promote our Nation’s security and prosperity through an America First Foreign Policy.” Trump selected Rubio, who was born in Florida to Cuban immigrants, to be his secretary of state.
Trump also praised Landau for “[working] tirelessly with our team to reduce illegal migration to the lowest levels in History” while he served as ambassador to Mexico.
In a post on the social platform X, Landau, a lawyer and the son of a veteran U.S. diplomat who served as ambassador to three Latin American nations, expressed gratitude for the nomination.
A mis amigos 🇲🇽: muchos de Ustedes me han instado a volver a México. Su apoyo y amistad realmente me han conmovido. Si el Senado 🇺🇸me ratifica en este nuevo cargo, obviamente la relación entre nuestros países seguirá siendo una de mis máximas prioridades. Aunque no tenga el…
Landau thanked his Mexican friends for their support and friendship in a separate Spanish-language post. “If the Senate ratifies me … the relationship between our countries … would continue to be one of my maximum priorities,” he wrote.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Landau would likely focus on several issues of particular importance to Mexico, including illegal immigration to the United States and tariffs purportedly aimed at jump-starting U.S. manufacturing.
The New York Times reported that, since leaving his post in Mexico City, Landau has been working in the Washington office of the Ellis George law firm, a self-described “leader in business litigation.”
Still, Landau continued to keep abreast of Mexican issues.
In June 2021, he published an opinion piece in the Arizona Republic criticizing the U.S. strategy of addressing skyrocketing drug overdoses by “asking Mexico to pursue and extradite kingpins” rather than focusing on domestic drug education and addiction prevention.
Data compiled by the national statistics agency INEGI indicates auto companies in Mexico produced 351,535 light vehicles in November, a 6.7% increase over November 2023. Total production in 2024 is now 3,764,490 units, well within range of the record set in 2017.
México se enfila a romper récord en ensamble de autos ligeros este 2024
“These results confirm a new stage of expansion for the auto industry,” the Mexican Auto Industry Association (AMIA) said in a press release. “As a point of reference … we are just 168,000 units away from [the production record of 3,933,154].”
The top five cars produced in Mexico are the Chevrolet Equinox, the Toyota Tacoma, the Nissan Sentra, the Honda HRV and the Nissan Versa.
Mexican auto production in numbers
AMIA reported that seven of the 13 auto companies with factories in Mexico enjoyed production increases in November, particularly:
Toyota (a nearly 300% increase over November 2023)
General Motors (up 24.5%)
KIA (up 10.7%)
Luxury companies in the sector, however, saw red numbers:
Mercedes Benz (down 36.7%)
Audi (-21.7%)
BMW (-16.7%)
Toyota saw a nearly 300% increase in production over November 2023. (Toyota)
Toyota is also seeing record sales this year, as reported by industry news site Cluster Industrial. The Japanese automaker sold 11,935 cars in Mexico in November, to reach 111,362 vehicles sold in 2024, surpassing last year’s total sales of 104,113.
Toyota’s total sales in 2024 represent an 8.3% market share among industry sales and reflect a growing acceptance of hybrid vehicles, as hybrids represent 30% of Toyota’s sales this year.
Additionally, domestic sales of light vehicles by Mexican auto companies rose by 14.3% compared to November 2023, according to Cluster Industrial. Total domestic sales in 2024 reached 1,350,362 light vehicles as November came to a close.
Exports also grew by 2.8% year-on-year in November, as Mexico exported 289,309 cars with Japanese companies Toyota, Nissan and Honda leading the way.
This follows on the heels of the most successful October in history when Mexican auto producers exported 332,356 light vehicles.
The domestic industry has exported 3,213,132 light vehicles through the first 11 months of the year, easily within reach of the 3,300,876 light vehicles exported in 2023.
Nothing is more Mexican than a tamale, and nothing is better at Christmas than a sweet treat. Combine the two for maximum success. (Shutterstock)
When I think tamales teamed with a sweetened rice pudding and drizzled in goat’s milk caramel, I can’t think of a more apropos holiday dessert for those of us living in Mexico — so this week, let’s try making some arroz con leche tamales.
But what is a tamal? It’s a traditional Mesoamerican dish, made from masa harina (corn flour treated with lime). It is then spread onto a corn husk or banana leaf, stuffed with different fillings and steamed until cooked. The fillings may be meats, cheeses, beans and vegetables — all seasoned with incredible Mexican spices. Or, they may be sweet, as in our recipe.
Tamales are a real slice of Mexican culture, wrapped in a piece of history. (Gerardo M García/Cuartoscuro)
The history of the tamal is fascinating! Dating to about 5,000 BC, they existed as a staple throughout early Mexican history. They also played an integral role in the diets of the Aztecs and Mayans. Tamales were not only food to these people but had cultural and religious significance, and were prepared with different fillings depending upon the specific religious festival for which they were made. It is even said in Aztec mythology that Tzitzimitl, a celestial demon, sacrificed her grandson to make tamales from his flesh.
Tamales transformed, however, following the Spanish conquest when European ingredients were introduced to Mexico in the form of pigs and cows rather than local meats like turkey and deer. The Spanish tried desperately to replace the corn-based tamale with wheat flour products, but without success. The tamale might have evolved, but it kept its corn-core identity.
In the late 19th century, due to the Mexican Revolution, tamales once again metamorphosed. Mexican people wanted their own, unadulterated cuisine and were looking to return to traditional Mexican fare. The tamale, once considered peasant food, was now elevated to a loftier status, a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage.
Today, tamales are also symbols of joy and a staple of Mexican cuisine, becoming an integral part of holidays, especially Christmas — and that leads us to our recipe: Disfruta y Feliz Navidad!
Coconut Arroz con Leche Tamales
Recipe adapted from Food and Wine. (Dylan + Jeni/Food and Wine)
Ingredients:
2 3/4 Cups (625 g) water, divided (agua)
3/4 Cup (150 g) uncooked jasmine rice *or any long-grain rice (arroz jazmín)
2 (2-inch) cinnamon sticks (palitos de canela)
1 (13.5-ounce or 370 g) can unsweetened full-fat coconut milk (leche de coco entera sin azúcar)
1 Cup (227 g) unsalted butter (8 ounces), softened (mantequilla sin sal)
Best Mexican brands: Lala; Gloria; Alpura; Aguascalientes; Flor de Alfalfa.
1/2 Cup (95 g) vegetable shortening (manteca vegetal)
Use Inca Manteca brand, found in Mexico.
2 lbs. masa harina prepared according to package directions
24 dried corn husks (about 9 inches long and 7 inches wide at widest point), plus more for lining steamer, soaked at least 1 hour or up to overnight. (hojas de maíz)
Cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) or dulce de leche, for serving
Directions
In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring 1 3/4 Cups water, rice, and cinnamon sticks to a boil.
Boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until water is mostly absorbed, 6 to 10 minutes.
Stir in coconut milk, 3/4 Cup whole milk, 1/4 Cup sugar, vanilla bean seeds, almond extract, and 3/4 tsp. salt.
Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, uncovered, stirring often, until mixture has thickened to a pudding-like consistency, 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, and transfer to a large bowl. Discard cinnamon sticks.
Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
Artisanal butter is central for the traditional tamal texture. (Flor de Alfalfa)
Next:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, combine butter, shortening, 1 Cup sugar, and remaining 1 Tbs. salt. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
With mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add masa. Increase speed to medium-high and beat until mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low, and gradually stream in remaining 1 Cup water and remaining 1/2 Cup whole milk.
Beat on medium-low speed until mixture is well combined and smooth, 3 to 5 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape sides of bowl.
NOTE: The prepared masa should be the texture of cake batter.
Cover bowl with a damp paper towel; set aside.
Next:
Place 1 corn husk on a clean work surface with narrow end pointing away from you; pat dry.
Using the back of a spoon, spread about 1/3 Cup prepared masa lengthwise in center of corn husk, spread evenly in a 5- x 4-inch rectangle.
Spoon about 2 Tbs. arroz con leche pudding down the center of masa rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border of masa above and below pudding.
Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. sugar over arroz con leche pudding.
Fold one side of husk across so that masa encases the filling.
Fold top end of corn husk down toward the center, and roll to wrap remaining husk around the tamal, leaving bottom end open.
Repeat with remaining husks, masa mixture, arroz con leche pudding, and sugar.
Tamales transformed, however, following the Spanish conquest when European ingredients were introduced to Mexico. (Mireya Novo/Cuartoscuro)
Next:
Fill a large stockpot with 1 inch of water. Place a steamer insert (at least 7 inches deep) in stockpot, ensuring water does not touch bottom of steamer.
NOTE: Tamales should be tightly packed together. If the steamer is too big, use aluminum foil to build a ring inside pot to hold tamales upright.
Line bottom and sides of steamer with corn husks.
Stand tamales vertically in steamer, with open ends up, in a single layer.
Heat pot over medium-high until steam is visible, 5 to 8 minutes.
Place a layer of corn husks on top of tamales.
Cover tamales with a clean kitchen towel, and place lid on top.
Reduce heat to low. Cook 45 minutes. To test doneness, carefully uncover pot, and remove 1 tamal. Let tamal rest 10 minutes before unfolding. If masa sticks to corn husk, rewrap tamal, and return to steamer basket. In the meantime, allow remaining tamales to keep cooking.
Continue cooking tamales 5 minutes before checking again for doneness.
If corn husk pulls away cleanly from masa, turn off heat, and let tamales rest in pot, lid removed, towel and husks in place, for 15 minutes.
Serve tamales warm with a drizzle of cajeta or dulce de leche.
Tamales are also symbols of joy and a staple of Mexican cuisine, becoming an integral part of holidays, especially Christmas. (Marisela León/Unsplash)
Cajeta
*Recipe: Mexicanmademeatless.com
Equipment:
1 large heavy pot
1 wooden spoon
8 oz. clean glass jar
Ingredients:
2 Cups or 16 oz. or (500 ml) goat milk* (leche de cabra)
⅓ Cup (65 g) or up to ½ Cup (100 g) white sugar (azúcar estándar)
½ tsp. (2.17 g) vanilla extract* (extracto de vainilla) or ¼ tsp. (1.42 g) bourbon vanilla powder (vainilla bourbon en polvo)
Mexican brands of vanilla extract, noted for intense flavor: Villa Vainilla; Vainilla Totonac’s; Molina Vainilla
Into a large, heavy pot pour the goat’s milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon (if using).
Bring to a light boil over medium heat.
Stir to make sure all the sugar has dissolved.
Remove from heat.
Tamales can be sweet or savory, depending on the region from where the recipe is from. (Gobierno de México)
Next:
In a separate bowl, mix the cow’s milk and baking soda until the baking soda has dissolved.
Pour the baking soda mixture into the goat’s milk, stirring fast. Be careful because the liquid will quickly froth and overflow.
Stir until the bubbles have subsided then return the pot to the heat and turn the heat to medium.
Continue to cook the goat’s milk mixture, stirring frequently because the mixture may bubble and overflow the pot.
After 20-30 minutes the mixture should begin to a darken and become thick.
Continue simmering and stirring frequently until the mixture turns a dark caramel color and coats a wood spoon. This may take another 20-40 minutes. The cajeta should the same consistency as maple syrup.
Pour into a jar and allow to cool completely.
Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
NOTE: The cajeta will keep fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. It tastes best if warmed a bit before using.
¡Disfruta!
Deborah McCoy is the one-time author of mainstream, bridal-reference books who has turned her attention to food, particularly sweets, desserts and fruits. She is the founder of CakeChatter™ on FaceBook and X (Twitter), and the author of four baking books for “Dough Punchers” (available @amazon.com). She is also the president of The American Academy of Wedding Professionals™ (aa-wp.com).
If you’re looking to close 2024 on an exciting note, here are three new popular – and relatively new – cultural experiences that you probably haven’t heard of. (Haakon S. Krohn/Wikimedia Commons - Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
If there’s one thing we can all agree on about Mexico City, it’s that boredom is hard to come by in this sprawling capital. Here, there is always something to do. Whether it’s gallery openings, new restaurants, shows, concerts, or parades, the options are endless. This December, there’s no excuse not to explore the culture the city has on offer in full.
Still, with so many choices available, it’s easy to fall into a routine and do the same things repeatedly. But fear not! If you’re looking to close 2024 on an exciting note, here are three popular — and relatively new — cultural experiences that you probably haven’t heard of.
Gastronomy, film screenings and theater will be among the cultural events in Mexico City this December. (Claudia Beatriz Aguilar/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)
The best cultural plans to enjoy this December in Mexico City
Cenas Literarias
From the creative minds of Karla Gabriela Chichil (better known as Karla Museos) and Chef Rómulo Mendoza of the Mexican restaurant Roldán 37 comes an immersive theatrical and culinary experience dubbed Cenas Literarias, or Literary Dinners, that take guests on a historical journey through time.
Held monthly, these literary dinners invite diners to enjoy a theatrical representation of a classic Mexican book or a significant historical moment while savoring Mexican dishes inspired by these events.
“The event combines gastronomy, theater, and literature,” Karla told me in an interview. “We aim to reinterpret a book or a passage in history to exalt Mexican culture.”
One of the most popular literary dinners is based on the best-selling Mexican book Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out) by Ángeles Mastretta. The story follows a young woman who marries an older, controlling man during the post-revolutionary years in Mexico. In a creative twist, the theatrical representation tells a story passage from the perspective of the protagonist’s friends.
“The experience seeks to give voice to female figures, to rescue them,” Karla said.
The dinners have also featured stories inspired by Mexico’s Independence in September, Day of the Dead in November, and anecdotes from the lives of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo throughout the year. The menus, drawing inspiration from these events, include chiles en nogada, mole, and Mexican sweet delicacies, among other traditional dishes.
Karla says the most successful literary dinner – and the story that inspired the idea to host literary dinners over a year ago – is the one based on the international best-selling novel Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) by Mexican author Laura Esquivel.
Set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution and told through Mexican recipes, the book follows Tita, a young woman forbidden by her mother to marry Pedro, the love of her life. The experience recreates recipes from the book while diners enjoy a live representation of a book passage.
The December literary dinner is inspired by Como Agua Para Chocolate. The show will feature the recipe “Quails in Rose Petals,” while Esperanza, Tita’s niece (and the book’s narrator), tells stories about her beloved aunt.
When? Dec. 12, 14, 20, and 21.
Where? Roldán 37, Mexico City Historic Center.
Reservations: WhatsApp 55 1173 0680.
All literary dinners feature live music and acting.
Cinema Concert Orchestra – Ghibli Concert, Amélie and Cinema Paradiso
If you love movies and movie soundtracks, this experience is for you.
Combining film and music, the Cinema Concert Orchestra enhances movie screenings by performing the film’s soundtrack in real-time. Founded in 2022 by the production company Cinema Concert Club under the direction of Laura Reyes, the Mexican music ensemble specializes in performing live soundtracks, adding an emotional layer to iconic films.
In December, the orchestra will perform the soundtrack of the French movie Amélie, music from several Japanese films by Studio Ghibli, and the iconic soundtrack of Cinema Paradiso.
The orchestra, composed of over 40 musicians, strives to stay true to the movie’s soundtrack while contributing its own creativity.
Combining film and music, the Cinema Concert Orchestra enhances movie screenings while performing the film’s soundtrack in real-time. Founded in 2022 by the production company Cinema Concert Club under the direction of Laura Reyes, the Mexican music ensemble specializes in performing live soundtracks, adding an emotional layer to iconic films.
In December, the orchestra will perform the soundtrack of the French movie Amélie, music from several Japanese films by Studio Ghibli, and the iconic soundtrack of Cinema Paradiso.
The orchestra, composed of over 40 musicians, tries to stay true to the movie’s soundtrack while contributing their own creativity.
“We try to make sure that the music is very similar to what is heard in the movies, but that it does not lose our own contribution as artists,” Reyes told Milenio in an interview.
With over 150 museums, Mexico City is one of the cities with the most museums in the world. To promote interest in the city’s museums, the Ministry of Culture launched the program Museum’s Nights in 2009, inviting residents and visitors to explore the city’s museums after dark through special activities and events.
Mexico City is not known as ‘Museum City’ for nothing. (Gobierno CDMX/Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication)
Museum Nights takes place on the last Wednesday of every month and features a wide range of cultural activities from musical performances to movie screenings, special exhibitions, and more.
In November, Museum’s Nights celebrated its 15th anniversary. This included a bike ride from the Museum of the Mexican Revolution to the Living Museum of Muralism, the El Chopo Cultural Market and the Mexico City Museum, in addition to concerts and other special events.
Museum Nights takes place on the last Wednesday of every month and features a wide range of cultural activities from musical performances to movie screenings. (Evan Wise/Unsplash)
Typically, Noche de Museos adjusts its events to commemorate special celebrations held during that month. For December, expect Christmas concerts (known as Villancicos in Mexico) and Christmas-themed activities.
The first Noche de Museos was held in Berlin, Germany, in 1977, when museums stayed open at night and featured special activities to promote culture. Since then, some 130 cities around the world have joined the cultural initiative.
Are there any December culture events in Mexico City that we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!
Gaby Solís is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
Overall, inflation has slowly declined throughout 2024. Fruit and vegetables, however, were 16.81% more expensive in November than in the same month of 2023. (Galo Cañas/Cuartoscuro)
Mexico’s annual headline inflation rate was slightly lower than expected in November, falling to 4.55% from 4.76% in October.
Adverse climatic conditions have driven up fruit and vegetable prices in Mexico since 2023. (Rogelio Morales/Cuartoscuro)
Not since March, when Mexico’s headline rate was 4.42%, has inflation been so low. Month-over-month inflation was 0.44% in November.
INEGI also reported that the closely watched annual core inflation rate, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, fell to 3.58% in November from 3.80% in October.
It was the 22nd consecutive month that the annual core rate declined. It too was just below the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
The decline in both the annual headline rate and the annual core rate increases the probability that the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) will make an additional cut to its key interest rate next week. The board of the central bank, which targets 3% inflation with a tolerance of one percentage point in either direction, will meet on Dec. 19.
Banxico has cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points on four occasions this year, including after its board’s last three monetary policy meetings. The rate currently stands at 10.25%.
In a Nov. 14 statement announcing its most recent interest rate cut, Banxico said that its board expected that the inflationary environment would allow further reference rate adjustments in the near future.
High inflation for fruit and vegetables persists
INEGI reported that fruit and vegetables were 16.81% more expensive in November than in the same month a year earlier. Inflation for those products rose from 15.90% in October.
Adverse climatic conditions have driven up fruit and vegetable prices for an extended period.
The decline in both the annual headline rate and the annual core rate increases the probability that the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) will make an additional cut to its key interest rate next week. (Wikimedia Commons)
Annual inflation for meat in November was 5.14%, while the year-over-year increase in prices for the broader agricultural products category (fruit and vegetables, and meat) was 10.74%.
Services were 4.90% more expensive in November than a year earlier, while annual inflation for processed food, beverages and tobacco was 3.56%. Non-food goods were 1.19% dearer compared to November 2023, while energy prices, including those for electricity and gasoline, rose 4.55%.
The inflation outlook
Andrés Abadía, chief Latin America economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, is predicting that Mexico’s headline inflation rate will fall again in December to end the year at 4.4%.
He said that “weaker domestic demand is pulling down core measures.”
Abadía also expects inflation will continue to slow in early 2025 due to lower oil prices, still tight financial conditions and slowing economic growth. He anticipates a headline rate of 4.2% in March and 3.8% next June.
📉 En noviembre, la inflación de México disminuyó a 4.55 por ciento, destacó la presidenta @Claudiashein.
Es una de las más bajas respecto a otros países de la OCDE. El aumento de 12 por ciento al salario mínimo para 2025 no afecta esta tendencia. pic.twitter.com/0nUdM3H5kv
The Bank of Mexico is forecasting 1.8% annual growth in 2024 and 1.2% in 2025.
The central bank predicted in November that the annual headline inflation rate will trend down throughout 2025 to reach 3.1% in the third quarter and 3% in Q4 of next year.
